HIST3205 - Genocide, Holocaust and memory

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Home examination Grade: Letters

Evaluation form

Weighting

Duration

Examination aids

Grade deviation

Home examination

100/100

3 days

Course content

Based on a historical analysis of different genocides we will analyse the structures and preconditions that have led to genocide, the role of elites and ordinary people and the response of the international community. We will discuss the term "genocide", and whether and in what regard the Holocaust occupies a unique position among the genocides. The course shall also address the limits and advantages of a comparative approach. The key focus is on the impact of genocide on societies: the impact on victims and perpetrators, the role of justice, and the question of how perpetrator-societies can come to terms with their past. We will address the role of memory, the political use (and abuse) of genocide through denial or instrumentalisation, and the crucial role of historians in establishing facts to counter such tendencies.

Learning outcome

A candidate who has passed the course will have obtained the following overall knowledge and skills, according to curriculum description of the topic:

Knowledge The candidate a) will have gained knowledge of the historical context in which important genocides took place and the preconditions that facilitated the mass killing. b) will, in addition, have obtained detailed knowledge of the implementation of selected genocides and be able to identify the categories of "victim" and "perpetrator" within each of these genocides. c) will have attained an awareness of the use as well as instrumentalisation of history in connection with genocide. d) will have gained insights into different methods perpetrators societies applied to reestablish social peace, and the important role of historical memory for victims and societies trying to come to terms with their past. e) shall have gained familiarity with legal terms (e.g. the United Nations Convention on Genocide) and key concepts in comparative genocide studies, and have gained awareness of the challenges associated with the legal prosecution of perpetrators and perpetrator states.

Skills The candidate a) shall be able to understand, summarise and communicate a complex topic to a wider audience through written and oral presentations. b) will be able to identify ideological, economic, social and security factors that contributed to a genocidal development. c) shall have obtained competence to carry out comparisons of genocides on a scientifically verifiable basis.

Learning methods and activities

Seminar based on discussion of assigned literature and group work. 3-4 texts have to be read for each unit.

Compulsory assignments

Presentation during seminar

Assignment

Further on evaluation

There will be three obligatory assignments (one oral and two written) that must be approved for the exam. Home examination.

Specific conditions

Exam registration requires that class registration is approved in the same semester. Compulsory activities from previous semester may be approved by the department.

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Required previous knowledge

BA in history or equivalent. Students on the five-year teaching education programme in history must have passed HIST2040 Specialization assignment in history.